Mower



`ulne 27,` 1933.

T. w. PAUL MOWER 5 sheets-sheet ,2-

Filed Nov. 1, 1929 June 27, 1933. y T. w. PAUL ,915,54s

MOWER Filed Nov. l, v1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 3A June 27, 1933. T. w. PAUL ,915,548

MOWER Filed Nov. l, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 T. W. PAUL `lune 27, 1933A MOWER Filed Nov. 1, 1929 5 sheets-sheet 5 ggf@ Patented June 27,' 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 'I ALBRRT w. PAUL, or MOLINR, ILL-mors, AssIGNoR To DEERE 'a COMPANY, or MoLnm, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION or ILLINOIS MOWER Application filed November 1, 1929. Serial No. 403,942.

This invention' relates to mowing machines, and moreparticularly to a mower adopted to be drawn by and driven from a tractor.

Tractor mowers are, in general, known and in use but such mowers of this kind as I am familiar with, are open to several objections from a practical standpoint. `In mowers of this type, there is liability of breakage of the mower proper due to encountering stumps, rocks and other obstructions. Also, if the mower be released so as to swing away from an obstruction the continued operation of the mower from the power take-oif shaft of 'the'tractor is a source of great danger to the operator. There is also the danger that, in-

disconnecting the mower from the tractor, or connecting it to the tractor, the operator might inadvertently throw the power take- ,20 oi shaft of the tractor into operation andas a result be seriously injured. f

A further objection to the present type of tractor mower is that, in the event of the tractor dropping into a hole or depression,

the mower is apt tothe broken or seriously damaged. Also, in tractor mowers, it is necessary, for practical considerations, to dispose the lift lever rearwardly of the operators seatin such position that, in itsyrearmost position, it cannot be readily grasped;

I have found that by suitably mounting the mower on the tractor and connecting it to the power takeoff shaft thereof in a novel manner, the above noted objections to the present type' oftractor mower can be eliminated. I

provide a main supporting frame suitably secured to theY tractor and on this frame I pivot themower frame in such manner as to facilitate swinging of the mower rearwardly out ofconta^t with an obstruction. In order that vthe mower may be quickly released when it encounters an obstruction, I provide a novel means for releasably securing the mower frame to the main supporting frame. I also provide a special type of clutch for connecting the mower drive shaft to the tractor power take-olf shaftin such manner that, when the.

mower is released and swung .rearwardly or when the mower is being applled to the tractor, the driving conneztion between these two shafts will be disabled and will not be reestablished until the mower has been returned to its proper operative position relative to the main supporting frame.

This main frame is mounted onthe tractor frame on an axis extending transversely thereof, and is so supported as topbe capable of upward movement when the mower travels upon the ground or when the tractor sinks into a depression, thus avoiding breakage of or damage to the mower from either of these causes. A further and important ob- ]ect of my invention is'to provide means whereby the cutter bar may be raised with facility to clear slight obstructions, `without belng raised into its lifted position, such means normally permitting free rise and fall of the cutter bar and being eiective for raising the same whether the bar be in a depression or on a rise, that is, irrespective of the vertical position of the cutter bar relative to the means referred to at the time that such means is moved in bar raising direction. A further object is to provide means of the y character stated for raising the bar to clear obstructions, this means being associated with a lift lever and cooperating therewith for raising xthe bar to either one of two of its lifted positlons by a pump action or step by step movement. Further objects and advaIr- 80 tages of my invention will appear from the detailed description.

In the drawings: f

Fig. l is a side view of a mower, viewed Afromuthecutter bar side, as applied to va tractor,'the tractorbeing shown fragmentarily. i

Fig. 2 is 'a plan view of the mowerl and' thel rearward portion of the tractor.A A

` Fig. 3 is acsection taken substantially on 90 line 3 3 of r-Fig. 1. Fig. 4e is a section taken substantially on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a section on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on the line 5 5 of Fig.v 2.- 95

Fig. 6 is a sectional view through the tractor power take-ofi' shaft and the connection between the same and the mower drive shaft, parts being shown in elevation. Y

Fig. 7 is'a disassembled view of the slip 100 5 take-ofi' shaft ofthe tractor and the transmission shaft. y

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a member 'of the clutch between the tractor power take-oil' shaft and the transmission shaft.

Fig. l0 is a detail of the guard for the tractor power take-off shaft.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail, partly in sec-yy tion and broken away, of the gripping arm associated with the foot pedal, and associated parts.

Fig. 12 is a .detail of the means fog` supporting the left hand side of the mam mower supporting frame from the tractor platform.

I have illustrated my mower as applied to a Tractor T of known type which comprises rear wheels 13, rear wheel housings 14, attaching lugs 15 suitably securedto and depending from the housings, fenders 16 extending over the wheels, and a platform 17 suitably secured to the tractor-frame. An operators seat 18 is mounted upon a standard I19 conveniently secured to the transmission housing 20. Referring more particularly to Fig. 3, a cross bar 21 is suitably secured to attaching lugs 22 formed integrally with and dependingl from the rear wheel housings 14 atl the forward portions thereof. A draw bar 23 is pivotally secured at its forward end, at 24, to cross bar 21 centrally thereof. The draw bar 23 straddles bar 21 and also straddles the bight portion of a U-shaped draw frame 25 the forward ends of the arms of which .are hung upon cross bar 21. The bight portion of frame 25 is of arcuate` shape and concentric with pivot 24, and is provided with a series of openings for the reception of a bolt 26 which serves to secure the draw bar 23 to frame 25.

Bolts 27 are suitably secured through the arms of draw frame 25 and through the rear-l ward attaching lugs 15. These bolts extend outwardly beyond the lugs and receive flanged bearing collars 28 fixedly mounted upon the bolts. A clamp member 29 extends upwardly over and about the upper portion of each of the collars 28, this member being provided with a lower jaw member 30 pivoted at 31 Aand secured in position about the lower portion of collar y28 by a bolt 32 which enters a slot in the forward end of member 29, a nut 33 Lbeingscrewed upon this bolt. The clamp structure is, in general, of a known type and need not be illustrated or described in detail. P l

A The clamp members 29 are` suitably secured, as by bolting, to the forward ends of the arm of a. U-shaped main supporting frame 34 of the mower. This frame extends rearwardly lfrom the tractor and has its rearward portion off-set upwardly as will be noted more clearly from Figs. 1 and 4. The frame 34 is preferably formed of strap steel of suitable thickness andhas a desirable resiliency. The main supporting frame of the mower is thus attached to the tractor for vertical swinging movement on a horizontal axis which is common to the bolts 27 and extends transversely of the tractor, the clamp structures turning upon collars 28.

The mower, when in operative position, extends a considerable distance to the right of frame 34, as will be noted more clearly from Fig. 2, so that thecenter of gravity of the mower is well beyond the right hand side of the main supporting frame therefor. This Creates a tendency to twist the frame 34 transversely in such a manner as to depress the right hand side thereof and raise the left hand side. I take advantage of this tendency to provide supporting means for carrying the weight of the mower in such manner as to permit the same to rise relative to the tractor inthe event that the mower frameencounters an abrupt rise or elevaframe 34 adjacent the rearward end there- 95 of. A tension link 36 is slidably mounted for vertical movement through a forked bracket 37 suitably secured -to tractor platform 17, adjacent the right hand side therel of as viewed in Fig. 2.

This linkis provided at its upper end with an enlarged head 38 which limits downward movement of the link through the bracket. The lower end portion of link 36 is bent to provide a linger 39 disposed at right angles thereto. This finger passes through the upwardly extending arm of the right hand angle bracket 35 and is held against with-l drawal therefrom in a suitable manner, as

. by means of a Cotter pin 40. In this manner the right hand arm of frame 34 is suspended from the platform structure of the tractor so as to have relative upward movement f while also having a certain amount of movement about linger 39. A tension rod 41 is` preferably provided to assist the bracket,37 in supporting the load of the mower.l The rearward end of this rod is suitably secured to the bracket and the forward end of the rod is suitably secured, at 42, to the right hand fender 16 of the tractor. This rod is preferably provided with a turn buckle 43 of known type for properly tensioning it.

A bracket 44 is suitably seeured'to tractor platform 17 'at the lefthand side thereof.,

A link 45 is slidably mounted through this bracket for vertical movement, and is provided at` its lower end with a finger 46 disposed substantially at right angle thereto and secured to the upward extending armof the left hand bracket 35 in the same manner.

as finger 39 of linli 36 is secured through its associated bracket 35. Link 45 is provided,

adjacent its lower end, with a shoulder 47.7

An extension coiled spring 48 is mounted about the upward portion of said link and is Confined between shoulder 47 and the under side of bracket 44.

An adjusting nut 49 screws onto the upper end of link 45 and bears against the upper face of bracket 44, this nut providing the means for adjusting the4 compression of spring 48. The spring provides means for exerting downward pressure upon the left hand side of frame 34 and constitutes cushion means for holding the mower frame in a level"l thus avoiding damage or possible breakage of the mower. After the mower frame passes out of contact with the ground or the tractor passes out of the depression, the spring 48 acts to automatically return the mower frame to its proper position.

The mower is lcarried by a sub-frame which is suitably mounted upon the main supporting frame 34. This sub-frame comprises (Fig. 3) a forward member 50y of substantially V-shape in plan, a rearward member 51 and an end or side member 52. The left hand end'ofemember 50, as viewed in Fig. 3, is disposed underframe 34 adjacent the rear left corner thereof andv the right hand end of member is suitably secured, as by means of a bolt 53 to the forward end of member 52, the forward portion of which is off-set downwardly, as in Fig. 1.

Bolt 53 also passes through a casting 54 and provides, in conjunction with nut 55, means for securing this casting to frame 34. A second bolt 56 passes through casting 54 and through member 52, this second bolt also passing through a member 57 of a supporting structure which also comprises a second member 58 of approximately lL-shape the foot element of which seats upon the upper face of member 51`at the right hand end thereof as viewed in Fig. 3. A bolt 59'is secured through the foot element of member 58 and members 51 and 52 and serves to secure all of .these memberstightly together. The left hand end of member 51 is disposed above the rearward end of member 5() and at the upper face of frame 34, and a bolt 60 is suitably secured through the members 50 and 51 and the frame 34. This serves to secure the members 50 and 51 of the sub-frame together and also to provide a pivotal connection between the'sub-frame and the main supporting frame 34,the sub-frame being turnable about the bolt 6() relative to frame 34 so as to be moved into and out of operating relation thereto.

The sub-frame, which carries the mower, is normally locked to the main supporting frame 34, with the member 51 disposed above the bight portion of this frame 34 and in substantial parallelism therewith, the cutter bar extending outwardly beyond the right hand side of the main supporting frame and substantially at right angles thereto, as in Figs. 2 and 3. Tn order that the bar may swing rearwardly to clear an obstruction which oii'ers considerable resistance thereto, such as a stump or rock, T provide means for releasably locking the sub-frame to the main frame in operative relation thereto. Referring more' particularly to Figs. 3 and 5, a channel shaped casting 61 is suitably secured, as by means of a cap screw 62, to frame 34 and seats against the under face thereof. This casting is disposed adjacent the right hand side of frame 34 as viewed in Fig. 3, and carries, at its forward end, a roller 63.

with a flange 64 the upper surface of which is inclined upwardly and forwardly towards frame 34 for cooperation with the similarly inclined forward surface of bill 65 of a hook member 66. This member 66 is loosely mounted about a pin 67 provided at its lower end with a reduced threaded stud 68 which screws into member 61 of the sub-frame. A bearing plate 69 is clamped between the body of pin 67 and member 61. This plate is shaped, at its rearward portion, to provide a channel element 70 which receives the fin er 71 depending from member 66 and roc able in the channel element. Hook member 66 is urged downwardly b an expansion coil spring 72 mounted a outpin 67 and coniined between web element 73 of member 66 and a nut 74 which screws onto the upper end of the pin.

This nut provides convenient means for adjusting the compression ofspring 7 2 so as to vary the pressure exerted on hook member 66 for holding the same in operative position, to suit conditions. Normally the hook member cooperates with roller 63 for lookin the sub-frame to the main frame 34 in .suc

manner as to eectively' prevent release of the sub-frame and rearward movement thereof, under normal operating conditions. Forward movement of the sub-frame beyond its normal position of Fig. 3 is prevented by a clip 79 suitably secured to the right hand rearcorner of frame 34 and so disposed to provide a positive stop for limiting forward movement of the sub-frame. The sub-frame is thus e'ectively held in operating position. In the event that the cutter bar or shoe of the mower encounters an object which ofers unusual resistance thereto such as would he apt to cause injury to the mower, the resulting rearward prei-sure exerted upon the bill At its rearward end the casting 61 is providedl 65 of member 66 causes upward movement of this member so as to disengage the same from the roller 63 thus releasing the subframe which is then free to swing rearwardly into the extreme dotted line position of Fig. 3, or into an intermediate position, so as to clear the obstruction. IAfter the obstruction has been cleared, the mower can readily be restored to operating position by swinging the sub-frame about pivot so as to return it to its normal position. As the sub-frame approaches its normal posit-ion the inclined surface of bill of member 66 contacts the upper surface of flange 64 of casting 61 so as to raise the bill 65 which then passes across the bight portion of frame 34 over roller 63, the spring 72 causing the bill 65 to engage about the roller.

In this connection, it is to be noted that l the surface of the bill which contacts the roller 63 is so inclined as to urge member 61 forwardly into contact with clip 79. This is advantageous as providing simple and eilicient means for holding the member 6l against undesirable looseness or play relative to frame 34.

As will be noted more clearly from Fig. 1, the right hand arm of frame 34, as considered in Fig. 3, has its rearward portion olf-set upwardly so as to be disposed at a higher level than the rearward portion of the left hand arm of this frame, and the biglit portion of frame 34 is bent upwardly at a portion intermediate in length to provide an upwardly extending element 34a which connects the right hand portion of the bight of frame 34, which extends substantially in the plane of the right hand arm of this frame, to the left hand portion of the bight of the frame, such left hand portion being disposed substantially in the plane of the left hand arm of the frame. Member 61 of the sub-frame is similarly bent at 51a,'so as to properly seat upon the bight element of frame 34. A transmission housing 80, comprising a lower secp tion and an upper section removably secured thereto, is disposed adja`cent the left hand side of main frame 34, as viewed in Fig. 3. This housing is, in general, of known construction and is secured to member 61 of the sub-frame by a bracket element 81 bolted or otherwise suitably secured to member 51, this bracket being preferably cast integral with the lower section of the transmission housing and such housing being so disposed as to clear the bight element of frame 34 in the move-` ment of the sub-frame on the pivot 60.

A drag bar 82, of approximate L-shape, is pivotally mounted at its inner end in a bearing sleeve 83 carried by the lower section of the transmission housing. The bar is held against endwisefmovement in sleeve 83 in a suitable manner, while being free to turn in this sleeve. The outer end of drag bar 82 is suitably connected to shoe head 84 of the cuttin mechanism. This mechanism is, in genera of known type and comprises the head 84, shoe 85, cutter bar 86 and associated parts. The cutting mechanism need not be illustrated or described in detail, it being sufficient to note that such a mechanism which is, in general, of known type, is provided. Head 8'4 is also connected by a tension rod 87, socket member 88 secured on the forward end o'f rod 87, and collar 89 carried by the socket member, to a bearing stud 90 carried by a bracket 91 bolted or otherwise suitably secured to member 50 of the subframe. The drag bar 82 and the tension bar 87 provide simple and efficient means for attaching the shoe head 84 to the sub-frame while permitting rise and fall, as well as lifting and lowering of the cutter bar.

As more clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4, an angular arm 92 is suitably secured to shoe head 84 and extends inwardly therefrom substantially parallel to drag bar 82. A link 93 has its lower end portion hooked through the inner end of arm 92 and is pivotally secured, at its upper end, to the rearward end of an arm 94. The arm 94 is loosely mounted for rocking movement upon a shaft 95 mounted in a bracket 96 suitably secured, as by bolting, to the supporting structure formed by the members 57 and 58.

A lift lever 97 is also loosely mounted upon shaft 95 adjacent arm 94. This lever has associated with it a latch 98 carrying a detent 99 which coacts with notches 100, 101 and 102 formed in the upper edge of a segment 103 carried by bracket 96 and conveniently formed integrally therewith. The lever 97 is provided at its lower end, with an angularly disposed finger 104 disposed to contact a lug 105 formed integrally with arm 94 and extending downwardly therefrom. The finger 104 is normally spaced a short distance away from lug 105 when lever 97 is in its rearmost position so as to accommodate slight rocking movement of arm 94 to permit rise and fall of the cutter bar without interference by the lift lever, as will be more fully explained. In the rearmost position of lever 97, the detent 99 engages into notch 100 of the segment 103 so as to support the weight of the shoe head 84 and associated parts when the cutter bar is in full lowered position. To assist in lifting the cutting bar and associated parts, a tension lifting y spring 106 is suitably secured at its forward end to casting 54, and has its rearward end hooked through a hook element 107 0f a finger 108 extending upwardly from arm 94. The detent 99 and the notches 100 and 102 of the segment 103 are so related that the lever 97 can be moved from the position of Fig. 1 into an intermediate position in a -clockwise direction as considered in Fig. 1. This relation between the detent and the notches of the segment is known in the art and need :cutter bar is held in one lifted position, and

when the detent engages into notch 102 the cutter bar-is held in its full lifted position. The latch 98 is operated by means of a handle anda connecting, rod on the lever, as well .understood in the art, and the means for opycounterclockwise direction, as considered in Fig. 4, on the axis of shaft 95 when the forward end of lever 110 is depressed. This 1ever 110 extends upwardly and forwardly from shaft 95 and is preferably provided, at its forward end, witha foot plate 111 suitably secured thereon. Arm 109 is urged in -a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, by a tension spring 112 secured at its lower end to an eye 113 of bracket 96, the upper end of this spring being hooked through an element 114 of arm 109. A gripping arm 115 is pivotally secured at its forward end, at 116, to the rearward end 0f arm 109. As willbe noted more clearly from Fig. 11, arm 115 is loosel mounted upon a reduced portion 117@ ofI a sleeve 117 which is fixedly mounted upon pivot bolt 116.

Arm 115 extends forwardly a short distance beyond bolt 116 and arm 109 is provided with a laterally projecting lug 118 disposed to contact portion 119 of arm 115 to limit turning thereof in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 4', on the axis of bolt 116. This is shown more clearly in Fig.

1. Arm 115 is enlarged, beyond sleeve 1-17,v

to provide an eye 120and has its rearward portion considerably enlarged to provide. a

weight element 121 of proper value to rock cured to bracket 96. Continued rearward movement of arm 109, after weight element 121 contacts stop 122 serves to bring element 119 into contact with lug`118, thus limiting rearward movement of arm 109 under the influence of tension spring 112. At this time arm 115 is disposed radially of shaft 95, as is arm 109, as in Fig. 1. This disposes eye 120 of arm 115 for permitting free sliding movement therethrough of an arcuate lift bar 123. This bar is connected, at its lower end, by eye 124 to the upper end of link 93. lVith the parts in the relative position of Fig. 4, bar 123 is concentric with shaft 95. The forward portion of this bar is provided '.with a plurality of notches'125. Normally the bar 123 is freely slidable through eye 115 so as to accommodate rise and fall of the cut ter bar. Upon depression of foot pedal 110, arm 109 will move forwardly a short distance independently of arm 115, due to the pivotal connection 116, after which bar 123 is gripped by the opposite walls of eye 115 and the shoe head and cutter bar and associated parts are then raised in the continuedo movement of the foot lever.

It is to be particularly noted thatv this gripping action of'eye 115 onthe bar 123 is eRective irrespective of the vertical position of the cutter bar relative t0 the foot lever. The foot lever and associated parts are particularly adapted for raising the cutter bar a short distance for clearing slight obstructions' without lifting it to inoperative position. Preferably the normal movement of the foot lever is such that the cutter bar will be raised a distance less than the distance it wouldbe lifted by movement of the lift lever 97 to its forward position. A great advantage of the foot lever and associated parts is the bar will be raised a certain definite distance when the foot lever is depressed to a predetermined extent, whether the cutter bar be in a depression or on a rise at the time the foot lever is depressed. Furthermore, the fact that the foot lever and associated parts do not in any way interfere"y with the rise and fall of the cutter bar when the foot lever is in normal position, is highly advantageous and an im portant feature of my invention.

Referring more particularly'to Figs. 1 and 11, sleeve 117 extends across latch 98 of lever 97 'rearwardly thereof, and is disposed to contact a rearwardly projecting element 126 ofl this latch `upon forward movement of arm 109. Y Upon depression of the foot lever, the bar 123 is gripped by the eye of arm 115 so as to raise the cutter bar, as vpreviously described,.and sleeve 117 contactselement 126 thus moving the lever 97 forwardly.

Under ordinary conditions, this movement of the lever is not sufficient to bring the detent 99 into position in front of the shoulderof notch 101 so that, upon release of the foot lever, the cutter barreturns to its lowered position.

The foot lever is also intended, however, to be used in lifting the cutter bar. In this connection, it is to be noted that when the foot 1 '3 f? lever 110 to it'sfull extent it is possible to lift the cutter bar into' either of its lifted positions with a step by lstep movement and without having to apply lifting force through the lift lever 97. That is to say, lay-depressing 10 the lever 110 to its full extent, the cutter bar is raised into its first lifted position, whereupon the lever 97 may be moved forwardly sufficiently and without having to exert any lifting force through this lever to cause the detent to engage into notch 101, after which` the foot lever is released and is returned to normal position, causing e e 120 of arm 115 to again grip bar 123. ydepressing the foot lever a second time, the cutter bar is raised to its second lifted position, whereupon the lever 97 may be moved into its most forward position, without having to apply lifting force through this lever. The operator may also lift the cutter bar by the use of the lift lever alone, or-by applying lifting force to both the hand lever and the foot lever simultaneously;

` Shoe head 84 is mounted for turning movement on the drag bar 82, the connection between head 84 and tension bar 87 being of a known type to permit this movement of the shoe 'hea Avtiltin lever 127 is suitably mounted upon al brac et 128 bolted, or otherwise suitably secured to supporting member 57. This lever carries a latch 129, operated in a known manner, this latch cooperating with a rack 130, carried by bracket 128, for

' securing lever 127 in adjustment. Lever 127 is connected, at its lower end, by a link 131 to the up er end of an arm 132 suitably secured to s 0e head 84.` The tilting lever and associated parts provide means for tilting the cutter bar on'a horizontal axis, asis known in the art. The function and operation of this lever is Well known in the a'rt and need not be illustrated or described in detail.

'l The cutter bar 86 is reciprocated in a known manner by means of the pitman rod 133 suitably connected thereto at one end, the other end of this pitman rod being eccentricallyA connected at 134 to flywheel 135 which is driven, from a'drive shaft, through a suitable transmission of known type mounted in the housing 80. The mowerdrive shaft is driven, through the medium of a transmission shaft and a universal joint, from a pwertake-off shaft of the tractor, there being a disconnect clutch, between the power take-olf shaft and the transmission shaft, of special construction which acts to disconnect the power fro'm the mower when it is swung rearwardly out of operative p osi-Y tion, and to connect the power to the mower when it is returned to such position.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 3 and 6, the tractor is rovided with a tubular' power take-off sha t 136, in a known manner. A sleeve 137, provided at its lower end with an inwardly extending flange 138', `is screwed upon the rearward end of tubular shaft l136. This sleeve is provided on its outer surface, with four `radially projecting ribs 139,. these ribs extending lengthwise of the sleeve from the lower end thereof and -being equally spaced.' At its upper end, sleeve.137 is provided with two radially projecting lu 140 spaced 180 apart and in alignment wit two of the ribs 139. A collar 141 is mounted about the lower portion of sleeve 137 and is provided with longitudinally extending channel elements 142 and 143 arranged in pairs and spaced apart 90 around collar 141. These channel elements all open atv one end through a flange 144 at the lower end of collar 141. Elements 143 are open at their upper ends and elements 142 are closed at their upper ends, as illustrated. These channelelements receive the ribs 139 of sleeve 137c and coact therewith to establish driving connection between the sleeve and the collar which is thus driven from shaft 136. A locking ring 145 is mounted about the upper end of sleeve 137 and is held against updownwardly along sleeve 137. In this con'- nection, it is to be noted that the closed upper ends of channel elements 142 of the c^ollar z 141 serve to prevent passage of the collar off l of the lower end of sleeve 137 under. the iniluence of spring *148.` In assembllng the sleeve 137 andassociated parts, collar 141 is` slid onto the sleeve withthe -lugs entering channel elements 143, the ribs 139 in aligns ment with the lugs .then entering the channel elements', the other' two ribs entering the channel .elements 142. Spring 148 is then positioned about the upper portion of sleeve 137 and ring 145'is turned into osition to bring lugs into alignment wit slots 147 and is then passed over the lugs ontothe sleeve, the spring 148 being under compression, and is turned 90 and then releasedso that the lugs 140 enter recesses 146, the pressure exerted by sprin 148 on the under .face o f ring being amp y sufficient to hold the rlnPg 1n its outer or up r position.

s lange 144 is shape toprovide a plurallty of uni-directional teeth 149. These teeth cooperate with similar teeth 150 of a flange 151 atthe upper end of split' collar 152 which 1s clamped a out and keyed to a transmis- Lemme shaft 136, this being the normal direction of rotation ofshaft 136.

Drive shaft 154 of the mower is rotatably mounted in bearing sleeves 155,0f transmis- 80. A sprocket wheel 156 is nection, as by means of'a sprocket chain 157, to shaft 135@ on which the flywheel 135 is keyed, it being understood that a sprocket wheel is keyed on this shaft and disposed within housing in the same .manner as sprocket wheel 156. Any other suitable or preferred type of drive between shafts 154 and may be provided. Shaft 154 is driven from transmission shaft 153 through a slip i clutch 158 and a universal joint 159. The slip 25 clutch is of known type and comprises a cylindrical casing 160 having a reduced neck 161 extending from its lower end, axially thereof. this neck being pinned or otherwise `suitably secured in one member 162 of the universal joint. The other member 163 of this joint is provided with a split sleeve 164 which is splined upon the forward end of shaft 154 and is tightly clamped about this shaft. Casing 160 screws, at its upper end, onto a head 165 having a collar 166 mounted loosely upon shaft 153. The lower portion of this shaft is squared, at 167, and receives squared neck 168 of a cruci-form head 169 comprising the channel elements 170. Neck 7168 is secured to portion 167 of shaft 163 by a pin 171, or in any other suitable manner. Referring more particularly to Fig. 7, the channel arms 170 of head 169 receive lugs 172 on the upper faceof a clutch ring 173 having V-shaped teeth on its under face.

'llhe teeth of ring 17 3 engage with corresponding teeth on tl@ upper face of a similar ring 174 having lugs 175'on its under face, which lugs engage into slots 176 dened by segments 177 formed integrally with yor otherwise suitably secured to the lower wall of casing 160. The lower end of shaft' 153 is preferably rounded to provide a centering stud 178 which enters the upper end of neck 161 and coacts with collar 166 to properly align the elements of the slip clutch.-

An expansion coiled spring 179 is disposed within casing 160 and lhead 165 thereof, and is confined between the head and a pressure ring 180 seating upon the upper face of head 169. A leaf spring 181 is secured at its lower end, at 182, to casing 160 adjacent the lower end thereof and has its upper end portion bent to provide -a detent 183 which operates through a slot-184 in casing 160. Head 165 is provided with an elongated slot- 185 adapted for reception of detent 183 for locking the head and the casingttogether. any desired number of slots may be provided in the head and any other suitable or equivalent means maybe employed for locking the head-and the casing ofthe slip clutch together. By screwing the casing 160 onto or od of head 165 or, more correctly, screwing the head into or out of the casing, the conipression of spring 179 can be varied to suit operating conditions. rl`he slip clutch acts in a known manner to permit slippage between transmission shaft 153 and the mower drive shaft 154 when the teeth of the cutter bar encounter unusual or dangerously high resista-nce. Under ordinary conditions, the slip clutch does not operate and the cutter bar is driven from the transmission shaft by the mower drive shaft 154.

When the cutter bar is in its normal operating position, with the sub-frame releasably locked to the main supporting frame 34, as in Fig. 3, the clutch teeth 149 of collar 141 are in operating engagement with teeth V150 of collar 152 so that the transmission shaft 153 is vdriven from the power take-off shaft 136 of the tractor. 1n the event that the cutter bar encounters an obstruction which offers suliicient resistance to release the subframe from the main frame, the sub-frame swings rearwardly so that the cutter bar clears the obstruction, as previously described. This rearward swinging movement of the sub-frame' about the pivot 6() withdraws transmission shaft 153 from shaft 136 suciently to disengage the elements of the clutch thus disabling the drive between these two shafts so that the cutter bar is no longer driven. As soon as the obstruction has been cleared, the operator swings the cutter bar Vback into its operative position, the driving connection between shafts 136 and 153 being automatically reestablished when the subframe has been returned to its normal position. This is a, decided practical advantage as the operator is not under the necessity of disestablishing and reestablishing driving connection between the power take-ofi shaft and the transmission shaft. Under ordinary conditions, the cutter bar does not swing rearwardly to its extreme position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3. 1n practice, the transmission shaft 153 is approximately 18 inches long and it is possible that this shaft may be completely withdrawn from the power take-off shaft 136 under certain unfavorable conditions.

rlhis may occur, for instance, if the cutter bar encounters an obstruction when making a turn and the operator is unable or fails to stop before completing the turn. The subframe may then swing to the extreme position indicated in Fig. 3, thus completely withdrawing the transmission shaft from Obviously, I

the power take-off shaft. To prevent possible injury to the operator or the tractor when this occurs, I prefer to rovide a guard about the power take-off sha t. This guard is conveniently in theform of a rectangular frame from the power take-off shaft in any position of the sub-frame. However, even under such conditions, I prefer to provide the guard 186 as there is the possibility that the operator, after removing the mower from the tractor might inadvertently start the tractor without having removed the ^power take-off shaft. y

What I claim is:

lkIn a mowingmachine, a frame, a cutter bar mounted on the frame for relative vertical movement, a foot lever on the fra-me, and operating connections between the lever and the bar for lifting the latter, said connections including normally released parts permitting independent rise and fall of the bar when lowered and acting when said parts are engaged to raise the bar a given distance when the lever is moved apredetermined distance in bar raising direction and irrespective of he vertical position of the bar relativeI to said ever.

2. In a mowing machine, a frame, a cutter bar mounted on the frame for relative vertical movement, a foot lever on the frame, and operating connections between the lever and the bar for raising the latter, said connections comprising relatively movable releasable D parts entgageable in different'relative positions an acting when released to permit lifting and lowering of the bar independently of the lever and acting when engaged to raise the bar a given distance when the lever is moved a predetermined distance in bar raising direction and irrespective of the vertical position of the bar relative to said lever.

3. In a mowing machine, a frame, a cutter bar mounted on the frame for relative vertical movement, a foot lever on the frame, a lifting bar connected/tto the cutter bar', and a gripping member operated by the lever and receiving said liftin bar, the lifting bar being fgeely slida le through said member in the normal position of the latter and the gripping member actin to grip the lifting bar as the lever is moved 1n cutter bar lifting direction for lifting said cutter bar during continued movement of the lever in such direction. y

4. In a mowing machine, a frame, a cutter bar mounted on the frame for relative vertical movement, a foot lever on the frame, a lifting bar connected to the cutter bar, a l gripping member connected to the lever for asa-15,548

movement therewith and receiving the liftbeing freely slidable through the gripping member when the latter is in inoperative position,l said gripping member acting to grip the lifting bai' as the lever is moved in cutter bar lifting direction for lifting said cutter bar during continued movement of the lever in such direction.

5. In a mowing machine, a frame, a cutter bar mounted on the frame for relative vertical movement, a foot lever, lost motion con- :nection between said leveiand the bar for lifting the'latter a given distance when the foot lever is moved in bar lifting direction and irrespective of the vertical position of the barrelative to said lever, said connection permitting rise and fall of the bar, when lowered, independently of the lever, and means cooperating with said' connection and operable independently of the lever for lifting and lowering the bar and for holding it in lifted position.

6. In a mowing machine, a frame, a cutter bar mounted on the frame for relative vertical movement, a handlift'lever, a foot lift lever, means for holdinor the hand lever in adjustment, connectionstbetween the hand lever and the bar for lifting andllowering the latter, said connections permitting independent rise and fall of the cutter bar when lowered, and supplemental connections between the foot lever and the bar permitting independent rise and fallI of the bar when lowered, said supplemental connections acting to lift the bar when the foot lever is moved in bar lifting direction. l

7. In a mowing machine, a frame, a cutter bar mounted on the frame for vertical movement, a lift lever, connections between the lever and the cutter bar for supporting the cutter bar and for raising and lowering it, means for securing the lever in adjustment to hold the cutter bar raised, a foot lever, and supplemental connections between the foot lever and the cutter bar for raising the latter a given distance when the foot lever is moved a predetermined distance in bar raising direction, said supplemental connections pei'- mittingrise and fall of the cutter bar independently of the foot lever.

8. In a mowing machine, a frame, a cutter bar mounted on the frame for relative vertical movement, a lift lever on the frame, means for securing the lever in adjustment, connections between the lever and the cutter bar for lifting and lowering the same, said connections permitting rise and fall of the cutter bar when lowered independently of the lever, a foot lever on the frame, and supplemental connections between the foot lever and the cutter bar for raising the latter a given distance irrespective of the vertical position of the cutter bar relative to the foot lever when said foot lever is moved a predetermined distance in bar raising direction, said Supplemental connections permitting rise and fall of the cutter bar in-4 dependently of the foot lever and also permitting lifting and lowering of the cutter bar independently7 of the foot lever.

9. In a mowing machine, a frame, a cutter bar mounted on the frame for vertical movement relative thereto, a lift lever on the frame, means for securing the lever in adjustment for holding the bar raised while permitting free movement of the lever in bar raising direction, connections between the lift lever and the cutter bar for lifting and lowering the latter, said connections permitting lifting of the cutter bar independently of the lever, a foot lever on the frame, supplemental connections between the foot lever and the cutter bar for raising the latter a given distance irrespective of the vertical position of the cutter bar relative to the foot lever when the foot lever is moved a predetermined distance in bar raising direction, said supplemental connections perinitting rise and fall of the cutter bar and lifting and lowering thereof independently ofthe foot lever, and means actuated by the foot lever when moved in bar raising direction for moving the lift lever in bar lifting direction.

l0. In a mowing machine, a frame, a cutter bar mounted on the frame for relative vertical movement, a shaft,.an arm mounted for rocking movement on the shaft, a link connecting the arm and the cutter bar, a second arm mounted on the shaft for rocking movement, a foot lever secured to the second arm, yielding means for holdin-g said second arm in normal position, a gripping arm pivoted on the second arm and provided with an eye, an arcuate lift bar pivoted to the link and extending through said eye, the lift bar being freely slidable through the eye of the gripping arm. when the latter is in normal position, means for holding the-gripping arm 1n normal position when said second arm is in normal position, the gripping l arm having movement oppositely to the movement of the second arm when the foot lever is moved in bar raising direction, and means for limiting reverse turning movement of the gripping arm relative to the foot lever arm as the latter is returned to normal position.

` 1l. In a mowing machine, a frame, a c utter bar mountedon the frame for relative vertical movement, a shaft on the frame, an arm rockably mounted on the shaft, a link connecting the arm and the cutter bar struc-.

' lmitting freejmovement thereof in bar raising direction, a foot lever arm mounted on the shaft, a foot lever secured on the foot lever arm, a gripping arm pivoted on the foot lever arm and provided with an eye, an arcuate lift bar pivoted to the link and passing through said eye, yielding means for normally holding the foot lever arm in normal position, means for limiting movement of the foot lever arm in its return movement to normal position and for returning thelgripping arm to normal position, said lifting bar being freely slidable through the eye of the gripping arm when the latter is in normal position, cooperating means carried by the lift lever' and the foot lever arm for moving the lift lever in bar lifting direction when the foot lever is moved in bar raising direction a predetermined eXtent,-and cooperating means carried by the lever and the lirst mentioned arm for moving the latter in bar lifting direction when the lift lever 1s moved in such direction, thelast mentionedmeans permitting rise and fall of the cutterrbar when in its lowered position independently of the lift lever.

12. In combination, a tractor having a power take-off shaft, a -main supporting frame attached to the tractor, a supplemental frame pivoted on the main frame on a vertical axis, a cutter bar structure carried by the supplemental frame and projecting to one side of the main frame in the normal position of' said supplemental frame, means' for releasably locking the supplemental frame to the main frame in normal relapower take-off shaft, a main supporting frame attached to the tractor, a supplemental frame pivoted to the main frame on a vertical axis, a mower includinga cutter bar mounted on the supplemental frame, the cutter bar projecting to one side of the main frame in `the 'normal position of-tlie supple mental frame, locking means releasably securing the supplemental frame to the main frame in normal'relation theretoand acting to release the supplemental frame to permit Y rearward swinging movement thereof when subjected to excessive pressure due to the cutter bar encountering an obstruction, and driving connections between the cutter bar and the tractor power take-oli' shaft, said driving connections including a clutch comprising clutch elements in operating engagement in the normal position of the supplemental frame and moved out of operative engagement when `the supplemental frame is swung rearwardly out of its normal position.

14. In combination, a tractor having a power take-off shaft, a main mower supporting frame attached to the tractor, a supplemental frame pivoted on a vertical axis to the main frame,'a mowerdrive shaft eccentric to the pivot of the supplemental frame and carried thereb driving connections between said drive s aft and the cutter bar, a transmission shaft having driving connection with the mower shaft and telescoping the tractor 'power take-off shaft, a clutch member secured to the power take-olf shaft, a. clutch member secured to the transmission shaft, said clutch members establishing driving connection between the power take-ofi shaft and the transmission shaft when the supplemental frame is in'its normal osition relative to the main frame, and loc ing means for releasably securing the supplemental frame to the main frame in its normal relation thereto, the cutter bar extending to one side of the main frame when the supplemental frame is in normal position and the locking means being adapted to yield under excessive-pressure applied thereto due to the cutter bar encountering an obstruction so as to release the supplemental frame and permit rearward swinging thereof to enable the cutter bar to clear suchobstruction, this rearward swinging movement of the supplemental frame disengaging the clutch members but not y withdrawing the transmission shaft from the power take-off shaft.

15. In combination, a tractor, a main mower supporting frame attached to the tractor, a supplemental frame pivoted on the main frame on a vertical axis, `a mower carried by the supplemental frame and in-r fcluding a cutter bar projecting to one side of the main frame when the supplemental frame is in its normal position, means for releasably locking the supplemental frame to the main frame inl normal relation thereto, said means being adapted to kbe released by excessive pressure applied thereto due to "the c utterbar encountering anobstruction 'so as to permit rearward swinging move-r ment of the cutter bar, a mower drive shaft carried by the .supplemental 'frame eccentric to the pivot thereof, said tractor having a tubular power take-off shaft, a transmission shaft having driving connection with the forward end of the mower shaft and tele- "scoping into the tractor shaft, a clutch member secured to the transmission shaft, a second clutch member mounted on and driven by the power take-off shaft, vand yielding means for holding the second clutch member in operative relation to the first clutch member when the supplemental frame is in normal position, the transmission shaft being shifted relative to the power take-off shaft to disengage the clutch members when the rearwardly.

16. In combination, a tractor, a mower supporting frame attached at its forward end to the tractor for swinging movement on a horizontal axis, links connecting the rearward portion of the frame to the tractor and limiting downward movement of the frame, said links having shiftable connection with 'the tractor to provide for limited upward movement of the frame relative to the trac- 'tor without disconnecting'said links therefrom, and a mower carried by said frame.

17. In combination, a tractor, a cross-bar secured to the tractor, a draw-frame attached to the cross-bar, a draw-bar connectingthe lcross-bar and the frame, attaching lugs carried by the tractor and secured to the draw 'supplemental frame is released 'and swung frame, a mower supporting frame pivotally connected to the lugs andthe draw frame on a horizontal axis, means for supporting the rearward portion of said frame from the tractor while permitting relative upward movement of the frame, and a mower carried by said frame."

18. In combination, a tractor, a main mower supporting frame attached to the tractor, a mower mounted on the supporting frame and normally projecting to one side` thereof, means for suspending said frame at the mower side thereof from the tractor, and cushioning means reacting directly againstthe tractor for exerting downward pressure upon the frameat the other side thereof.

19. In combination, a tractor, a mower supporting frame attached to the tractor, a mower mounted on the frame and normally projecting to one side thereof, a suspension connection between the tractor and said side of the frame, said connection permitting relative vertical movement of the frame, and a connection between the tractor and the other side of the frame and including yielding means reacting directly against the tractor exerting downward pressure upon the frame at said other side thereof and permitting relative vertical movement of said frame.

' 20. A mowing machine comprising a frame, a cutter bar mountedon the frame for relative vertical movement, a lever on the frame, andv operating connections between the lever and the. cutter bar for raising the latter, said connections comprising a pair of interengaging relatively movable members, one connected with said cutter bar and the other/connected with said lever, said members/being movable lto two relative positlons, one in which said members are enreiaaae being one in which said members are disengaged whereby the member connected with the cutter bar can move relative to the other member and the associated lever.

21. In combination, a tractor having a power take-oii' shaft, a mower supporting frame connected with the tractor for movement about a vertical axis, means including a shaft for driving the mower, and means for driving the mower, and means connecting the shafts including clutch means adapted to overrun when the mower is subjected to an overload and releasable and separable parts connected respectively with the tractor and the mower supporting frame whereby said parts are adapted to be disengaged when the mower supporting frame is swung about its axis.

23. ln combination, a tractor having a power take-off shaft, a mower supporting frame connected with the tractor for rearward swinging movement about a vertical pivot, a mower carried by said frame and including a'mower drive shaft disposed eccentrically with respect to the pivot of said frame, and driving connections between the tractor, take-off shaft and the drive shaft of the mower', said connections comprising telescoping parts, one connected with the power take-off shaft and the other connected with the mower drive shaft, and interengaging clutch members, one carried by one of said telescoping parts andthe other carried by the other telescoping part, whereby upon rearward swinging movement of the mower supporting frame said clutch members will be Aseparated to thereby interrupt the drive from the power take-olf shaft to the mower;

24. ln combination, a tractor having a power take-ofi, a mower supporting frame connected to the tractor for swinging movement about a vertical axis, a mower including a cutter bar carried by said frame, means in-v cluding a mower drive shaft forfdriving said cutter bar, a pair of telescoping shaftscorr nected,respectively, with said power takeoff shaft and said mower drive shaft for relative axial movement when' the .mower supporting frame is swung'on its axis, said 7telescoping shafts being arranged to rotate one relative to the other, a irst clutch member carried by one of said telescoping shafts, a

second clutch member carried by the otherl of said telescoping shafts, and means respectively connecting said clutch members with Rthe corresponding telescoping shaft. whereby in one position of the mower supporting frame said clutch members are engaged in driving relation and in another position said clutch members are separatedwhereby to interrupt the drive fromsaid power take-olf shaft to the mower.

25. In combination, a tractorhaving a power take-ofi shaft, a mower supporting frameattached to the tractor for swinging movement about a vertical axis thereon, a mower carried by said frame and including a cutter bar and a driving shaft therefor, and driving connections kbetween said shafts including a first clutch part carried by the power take-off shaft and a second cooperat! ing clutch carried by the power drive shaft, said cooperating clutch parts being so disposed relative to the axis of movement of the mower supporting frame that in one position of the latter the clutch parts are engagedand in another position they are separated, and means serving to maintain said parts in axial alignment whereby said clutch parts are y automatically engaged and disengaged, cormower on the tractor for swinging movement about a substantially .vertical axis, and

means driving the lmower from said power takeoff shaft including relatively extensible responding to the position of the mower supf shaft sections of a length sufficient to maintain said shaft sections in alignment when said mower is swung rearwardly about saidvertical axis.

27. In combination, a tractor having a power take-olf shaft, a main supporting frame attached to the tractor, a supplemental frame pivoted on the main frame on a vertical axis, a cutter bar carried by the supplemental frame and projecting to one side of the main frame in the normal position of said supplemental frame, means for releaslably locking the supplemental `frame to the main frame in normal relation thereto, driving connections between the cutter bar and th ractor power take-off shaft, said connectio 's being separable so as to be disabled when the supplemental frame is released from the main frame, and -means for maintaining said connections in axial alignment when separated by the release of said sup- "plemental'frame, whereby said connectionsare adapted to be automatically restored when the supplemental frame is returned to `its normal operative position relative to the main frame.

28. lin combination, a tractor, a mower supporting frame attached at one end to the tractor for swinging movement about a substantially horizontal axis,.links connecting the other end of said frame with the tractor and 'limiting downward movement -of the frame, said links being connected with thebarl projecting to one side of the mower/` frame in the normal position thereof, means for releasably locking the mower frame to the tractor in normal relation thereto and operable to release the mower frame to permit rearward swinging thereof when subjected to an abnormal load, driving connections between the cutter bar and the tractor power take-off shaft, said connections including relatively movable members and means maintaining the latter in operative relation when the mower frame is released, whereby the tractor may be backed to restore the mower frame to normal .latched position and to automatically continue the drive to said cutter bar through said relatively movable members.

30. In combination, a tractor having a power take-olf shaft, a mower comprising a. frame pivotally connected with the tractor to swin about a vertical axis, a cutter 'bar projecting to one side` of the mower frame in the normal position thereof, locking means releasably securing the mower frame to the tractor in normal relation thereto and acting to' release the mower frame to permit rearward swinging movement thereof when subjected to excessive pressure due to the cutter bar encountering an 'obstruction or the like, and drivingA connections between the cutter .bar and the tractor power take-off shaft, said driving connections in cluding relatively movable members supported, at least in part', on the tractor and mower frame, respectively, and. not .wholly withdrawn wheii the mower frame is swung rearwardly out of its normal position, whereby the ttractor may be backed to restorethe mower frame to normal latched position and to automatically Acontinue the drive to said cutter bar through said relatively movable members. j

31. In combination, a tractor having a power take-off shaft, a mower comprising a frame pivotally connected with the tractor 4to swing about a vertical axis, a. cutterbar projecting to one side of the mowerl frame in the normal position thereof, locking means releasably securing the mower frame to the tractor in normal relation thereto and acting to release the mower frame to permit rearward swinging movement thereof when sub; jected to excessive pressure due to the cutter bar encountering an obstruction or the like, and driving connections between the cutter bar and the tractor power take-off shaft, said driving connections including a clutch cornprising clutch elements in operating4 engagement in the normal position of the mower 'frame and moved out of operative engageing to release the mower frame to permit A rearward swinging movement thereof when subjected to excessive pressure due to the cutter bar encountering an obstruction or the like,vdriving connections between the cutter bar and the tractor power take-off shaft, said' driving connections including a' clutch comprising clutch elements in operating engagement in the normal position of the mower frame and moved out of operativeengagement when the mower frame is swung rearwardly out of its normal position, and means for maintainingsaid clutch elements in axial alignment with `respect to each other when,

they have been moved out of operative engagement by the rearward` swinging of the mower frame. A n l 33. In combination, 'a tractor having a power takeoif shaft, a mowercomprising a frame pivotally-connected with the tractor 7 to swing about avertical axis, a cutter bar projecting to. one side of the mower frame in the normal position thereof, a mower drive shaft eccentric to the pivot of the mower frame and carried thereby, driving connections between said drive shaft vand the cutter bar, a transmission shaft laving driving connection with the mower shaft and telescoping the tractor power take-ofi' n.

shaft, a clutch member secured to the power take-off shaft, a clutch member secured to the transmission shaft, said clutch members establishing driving connection between the power take-off shaft and the transmission shaft when the mower frameis in' its normal position relative to the tractor, and locking meansl for releasably securing the mowerk frame to the tractor in its normal `relation thereto, the cutter bar extending to one side of the main frame when the mower frame is in normal position and the locking means being adapted to yield under excessive pressure applied thereto due to the cutter bar encountering an obstruction so as to release L the mower frame and permit rearward swinging thereof to enable the cutter bar to clear such obstruction, this rearward swinging movement of the supplemental frame disengaging the clutch members but not withbar encountering an obstruction so as to permit rearward swlnging movement of the cutter bar, a mower drive shaft carried by the mower frame eccentric to the pivot thereof, said tractor having a` tubular power take-off shaft, a transmission shaft having driving (,connection with the forward end of the mower shaft and telescoping into the tractor shaft, a clutch member secured to the transmission shaft, a second clutch member mounted on and driven by the power take-off shaft, and yielding means for holding the second clutch member in operative relation to the rst clutch member when the mower frame is in normal position, the transmission Ishaft being shifted relative to the power take-ofil shaft to disengage the clutch members when the mower frame is released and swung rearwardly.

1n witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 25th day of October, 1929.

. TALBERT W. PAUL. 

